Chapter 98: Sincerity

Above the vast galaxy, Su Xi stood in the air, gazing at the spirit-rich Yixing, not moving a step for a long time.

【Er Miao, do you think Master would have taken Xue Fuyi as her disciple if I weren't there?】

【That was Master's choice; the Host can return later. But times change, and the Host should be mentally prepared.】

【I know. Open a random mission Treasure Box.】

【Understood, Host.】

……

Su Xi emerged from the space portal with only one feeling—cold!

Er Miao immediately activated the system defense to protect Su Xi, 【Host, this is the world of the God-Refining Game: Sin Contract.】

【It's truly freezing.】 Su Xi surveyed the surrounding icy, snowy environment and opened the System Map.

Within a hundred miles, it was all ice and snow, devoid of any human presence.

【I wonder if that Observer—Qing Kong—is still around?】

【The Observer will not monitor the game indefinitely.】

【Hmm, let's do the mission first. What is this mission Treasure Box?】

【Eliminate the Emo Heiya at Handukou and obtain the—Tanlan Zhi Yue.】

【Where is the Emo Heiya?】

【Three thousand meters directly in front of the Host, one thousand meters, arrived!】

A thick mass of black mist stopped in front of Su Xi.

"Great, no need to waste effort looking for you," Su Xi laughed, the Thunder Halberd appearing in her hand as she slashed toward the black mist.

The black mist took the true form of a black crow, over two meters long, with a sharp, pitch-black beak, eyes emitting a demonic red glow, and feathers like steel blades.

A sharp, ear-piercing cry resounded across the snowfield.

A moment later, Su Xi obtained a black Treasure Box; she opened the lid to find a golden key inside.

【Tanlan Zhi Yue, one of the Qizui Yuechi; collecting all seven keys can synthesize a Godhood fragment. Does the Host wish to continue searching for keys or head to another world?】

【What is the upgrade mission for the Reversal System?】

【The Host is currently a Second Lieutenant; to continue upgrading, you need to go to the Shen Ming Zhan Chang.】

【How do I get to the battlefield?】

【As a god-favored one of the 24 gods, you can be brought in by him. Once you obtain the entrance key to the battlefield, the Host will be able to enter freely.】

Su Xi opened the God-Favored Game system and contacted 24—【Lord God, I want to go to the battlefield, can you take me?】

A long time passed after the message was sent, but she received no reply.

It wasn't until Su Xi left Handukou, arrived at a dessert shop, drank a warm beverage, ate dessert, and enjoyed a cozy tea time that she received a reply from 24.

24—【Sorry, I just saw the message. You can go to the battlefield. Shall I summon you?】

Su Xi—【Wait a moment.】

As a god-favored one, a god can summon her anytime, anywhere.

Su Xi had the clerk pack up the dessert and ordered another portion.

Su Xi—【Ready.】

A space portal appeared, and Su Xi entered it under the surprised gazes of the clerk and the customers.

When she emerged from the portal, she was inside a spaceship.

Su Xi blinked and looked around; outside the window was the starry sky. The god 24 was tidying up a chessboard. Seeing the dessert in her hand, he asked, "Were you just having tea?"

"Yes, I finished a mission and was shivering from the cold, so I had something hot. I brought a portion for the god too. Were you playing chess just now?"

"Yes." Fei Er Si Te Yan invited her to sit opposite him, "Do you know how to play?"

"A little." Su Xi sat down and handed him the tea and snacks prepared for 24.

Fei Er Si Te accepted them, opened the dessert, took a bite, and handed her a piece, "It tastes good. You don't have to call me 'God'; just 'Fei Er Si Te' is fine."

"Fei Er Si Te..." Su Xi's eyes widened, "You!"

"What's wrong?"

"Fei Er Si Te Yan... Xiao Yan!"

"I have another identity: Zhou Chuchen." Fei Er Si Te looked at her, his expression very calm, though he was panicking inside.

He was terrified that Su Xi would fly into a rage right there and run away from him!

Su Xi looked at him, then at the chessboard, then at the snack in her hand... the new Yunze Dalu and Yixing flashed through her mind!

Finally, she let out a long sigh of relief, "So, you have been by my side all along!"

Fei Er Si Te nodded, "I know you hate me, so I could only approach you by changing my identity."

Su Xi took a large gulp of the now-cool drink, "Zhou Chuchen, Xiao Yan, 24—they are all you, right?"

"Yes," Fei Er Si Te said, "My mother lectured me! She said that if it's just playing a game, I can change my identity and appearance as I please, or even boast all I want, as long as we are both happy. But if I want a partner, I must show her my most sincere and honest self. If it works out, it's because my accumulated merit is decent; if it doesn't, I must not pester her, and respecting each other's dignity in parting is also good karma."

"Your mother is right!"

Su Xi opened the system, looked at the name labeled 【God 24】, and changed it to Fei Er Si Te Yan, "This is your real name, right? Is Xiao Mi really your sister?"

"That is my name," Fei Er Si Te said, "Xiao Mi is my youngest sister."

"I like Xiao Mi. So, to see her again, I've decided to hang out with you for a while longer. But it's only a partnership between a god and his god-favored one; don't think of anything else." Su Xi replied.

"Good!" Fei Er Si Te smiled.

"What is the Shen Ming Zhan Chang like?" Su Xi asked curiously.

Fei Er Si Te replied, "The next opening is in a month; I'll take you then. What level has your Divine Weapon System reached?"

"Second Lieutenant," Su Xi replied, "I've always called it the Reversal System."

"Either is fine; it's just a name." Fei Er Si Te grabbed a handful of chess pieces and asked Su Xi to guess the number.

"Odd," Su Xi replied.

"Even," Fei Er Si Te took a black piece, "You take the white and move first."

"What is the deal with the god name 24?" Su Xi placed a piece on a star point at random, claiming a corner.

Fei Er Si Te placed his piece in the same position as her, "It is Qing Kong; he is ranked 24th among us siblings. I just made it up."

"... Qing Kong is too! No wonder his attitude toward me is a bit strange. Xiao Mi once asked me to guess how many siblings she has, so how many are there?" Su Xi asked curiously.

"In Xiao Mi's Small Storage Bag, there is a golden one; have you ever noticed the number on it?" Fei Er Si Te smiled.

Su Xi thought for a moment, "No."

"Then you can ask her about her rank later and you will know," Fei Er Si Te looked at her.

Su Xi felt a bit uncomfortable being watched, "Is there something dirty on my face?"

"No, it is just that you are beautiful." A red rose suddenly appeared at Fei Er Si Te's fingertips, "For you."

"... I don't want it." Although Su Xi said she didn't want it, she still reached out and took the flower.

A trace of pure, happy laughter flowed through Fei Er Si Te's silver-gray eyes.

Looking into his eyes, Su Xi suddenly thought of Xiao Yan; perhaps... Xiao Yan was his true side.